Dean Forster wrote:
> All of that is beside the point- what counts is the
> rule of law. All speech in the US is protected by the
> 1st with the exception of 8 circumstances which you
> can find described in detail.
And it's my opinion that joking about bombs or hijacking in an airport falls
under exception #2: Causing Panic.
> A simple word does not endanger others - but currently by saying it in any
> context in an airport gives the police the right to arrest you.
But the word "fire" in a crowded theater _does_ endanger others, and most of
us agree that the words "bomb" or "hijack" in an airport do as well.
In any case, are you aware of a case in which a person said the word "bomb" in
casual conversation without reference to the circumstances ("Did you hear
about the bomb that killed 7 civilians in Podunkville" as opposed to "He said
he had a bomb in his laptop") and was detained as a result?
I think you'll find that the vast majority of people in this country have no
problem with this free speech exception.
Doug
